"The Family Jewels" is all Jerry Lewis. Not only did co-write the script, produce and direct the film, he also played seven different characters as well. Hog the film? Nawwww.
Young heiress Donna Peyton (Donna Butterworth) has just lost her father who has left her $30 million. The terms of the father's will as interpreted by lawyers Jay Adler and Neil Hamilton, stipulate that she must choose a "new" father from among her six loony uncles. Young Donna has become attached to family chauffeur Willard Woodward (Lewis) who although he looks like all the uncles (why not? they're all Jerry), is not eligible to be chosen.
Donna is required to go and live with each of her uncles for two weeks before making her decision. The first stop is with Uncle James, a ferryboat captain (Lewis in ridiculous makeup). The brothers are all supposed to be in the same age group but James looks to be 102. Next Donna moves on to uncle Everett (Lewis in clown makeup) a nasty child hating person who plans to leave the country (a plot device to make the ending possible).
Next we move on to Nutty Professor I, Julius a photographer whom we meet photographing beautiful models, ineptly of course. Then its on to Captain Eddie a pilot with an ancient airplane awaiting passengers. A group of senior ladies book his plane for a flight to Chicago with hilarious results. Then it's on to Nutty Professor II, Skylock, a Sherlock Holmes clone complete with Dr. "Matson" (Sebastian Cabot). The last brother "Bugs" (Lewis with rotten teeth and painted on whiskers) kidnaps young Donna to hold her for ransom.
Willard calls on Skylark and Cpt. Eddie to help find her. Skylock ends up playing pool with Robert Strauss and Capt. Eddie flies to the rescue but we never see him after he takes off. Donna manages to escape and winds up in the pool room.
Later, all of the brothers except Everett the angry clown appear in the lawyers offices where Donna reviews her views of each before making her choice of a new father. It's not hard to figure out who the new father will be and..............................................................
Lewis didn't miss the opportunity to promote his son Gary's musical career, playing his record of "This Diamond Ring" and having him and his group do a cameo during the airplane sequence.
Other familiar faces pop up in the movie. Anne Baxter appears in an in flight movie aboard Cpt. Eddie's plane. Also watch for Lewis regulars Milton Frome, Del Moore ,Scatman Crothers Benny Rubin and Vince Barnett in other cameos.
Too much Jerry for my liking.
Young heiress Donna Peyton (Donna Butterworth) has just lost her father who has left her $30 million. The terms of the father's will as interpreted by lawyers Jay Adler and Neil Hamilton, stipulate that she must choose a "new" father from among her six loony uncles. Young Donna has become attached to family chauffeur Willard Woodward (Lewis) who although he looks like all the uncles (why not? they're all Jerry), is not eligible to be chosen.
Donna is required to go and live with each of her uncles for two weeks before making her decision. The first stop is with Uncle James, a ferryboat captain (Lewis in ridiculous makeup). The brothers are all supposed to be in the same age group but James looks to be 102. Next Donna moves on to uncle Everett (Lewis in clown makeup) a nasty child hating person who plans to leave the country (a plot device to make the ending possible).
Next we move on to Nutty Professor I, Julius a photographer whom we meet photographing beautiful models, ineptly of course. Then its on to Captain Eddie a pilot with an ancient airplane awaiting passengers. A group of senior ladies book his plane for a flight to Chicago with hilarious results. Then it's on to Nutty Professor II, Skylock, a Sherlock Holmes clone complete with Dr. "Matson" (Sebastian Cabot). The last brother "Bugs" (Lewis with rotten teeth and painted on whiskers) kidnaps young Donna to hold her for ransom.
Willard calls on Skylark and Cpt. Eddie to help find her. Skylock ends up playing pool with Robert Strauss and Capt. Eddie flies to the rescue but we never see him after he takes off. Donna manages to escape and winds up in the pool room.
Later, all of the brothers except Everett the angry clown appear in the lawyers offices where Donna reviews her views of each before making her choice of a new father. It's not hard to figure out who the new father will be and..............................................................
Lewis didn't miss the opportunity to promote his son Gary's musical career, playing his record of "This Diamond Ring" and having him and his group do a cameo during the airplane sequence.
Other familiar faces pop up in the movie. Anne Baxter appears in an in flight movie aboard Cpt. Eddie's plane. Also watch for Lewis regulars Milton Frome, Del Moore ,Scatman Crothers Benny Rubin and Vince Barnett in other cameos.
Too much Jerry for my liking.